Free Surviving The Zombie Apocalypse (Book 2): Conflict by Joshua Jared Scott

nothing.”
    “Fine.”
There was no point in arguing. Briana would side with Steph, and no one wanted
to go against the pregnant woman. “Lizzy and I will get to work on that in a
few days. Just tell us what it’s supposed to look like.”
    “More
zombies coming,” announced Mary, “out of the trees over there, three of them.”
    They
were several hundred yards distant.
    “Ignore
them,” I said. “We’re outta here.”
    “Nope.
I’m going to shoot them.”
    Lizzy
scowled. “Not a chance.”
    The
teenager set her mouth in a firm line, that irritating look of absolute
determination all women master at an early age. Must be a genetic thing.
    “I need
the practice.”
    “What
practice! You just put a bullet in the head. That’s easy!”
    “Not
super easy,” argued Mary. “Zombies don’t sit still.”
    “Let her
do it Lizzy,” I suggested, “all three, by herself, up close.”
    “The
things are right next to one another! She could get grabbed.”
    “Then go
with her to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
    “Yes!”
    Mary
darted forward without waiting for Lizzy.
    “Wait
until they’re fifteen feet away,” I called. “If they get closer than ten you
spend a week washing the dishes by yourself.”
    Maybe I
should have Briana speak with her later. The girl’s enthusiasm was troubling.
     
    *
* *
     
    With our
trip to Chadron demonstrating that snow, while a hindrance, was surmountable,
discussions soon began on whether or not we should return to Martin, South
Dakota. We had visited the town the prior November. Finding the compound
destroyed, we didn’t linger, but the raiders had left a lot behind, supplies
which were likely still there. A log book also indicated that some of the
residents had been absent at the time. Between our desire to have as much food
on hand as possible and the very real need to add more people to our group, this
seemed a logical next step.
    We
waited another week before leaving, taking advantage of an unseasonable warming
which did wonders in clearing the roads. There was no way to tell if this would
last – the Weather Channel was gone – and cold fronts dropping several feet of
snow were not unknown that time of year. Still, there was a high probability we
were good for several days, and it should only take one to get there, another
back, and whatever time we spent on site.
    It was a
smaller party this time. As always, I took my Jeep Wrangler, and Lizzy had the
Grand Cherokee. Our third, Mary, would alternate between the two vehicles.
Steph wanted to remain behind to keep an eye on Johnny. During the intervening
months he had largely bonded with her, and a long absence would do him no good.
Also, with Kenneth in a questionable state of mind, I wanted someone I trusted
to keep an eye on Briana.
    “Almost
there,” observed Mary, speaking into the radio.
    Lizzy
was trailing me by a few car lengths.
    “Faster
than I thought,” she replied. “The roads are just like the last time too. I
don’t think any of the wrecks are new. It doesn’t look like anyone else has
been this way.”
    “Depressing.”
    Mary
glanced at me.
    “Got a
zombie,” continued Lizzy.
    In the
rear view mirror, I watched her swerve to the side, cutting around the monster.
    “They’re
filtering out of the cities,” I remarked. “Judging from Chadron and the places
we’ve passed on the way, I think most are attracted to towns for some reason.
They leave them and wander about, but whenever they find a new one, they seem
to linger for a while.”
    “I
guess,” replied Mary. “You should slow down.”
    We were
on the outskirts of Martin, and she was justified in being extra cautious.
Strangely, and in complete opposition to my prior statement, the streets
appeared to be empty. Not a single zombie was in sight, save the one we just
passed, something that just might be statistically impossible.
    “This is
so not right,” whispered Mary, as I parked with the Jeep facing an open street
in case we